Court Reporter Salary in Hackensack, NJ: $76,401 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Hackensack, NJ earns a median $76,401/year (≈ $36.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Hackensack's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $66,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hackensack, New Jersey, the court reporter salary presents a promising outlook, particularly for those who specialize in realtime and CART services. Projected for 2026, the median annual salary stands at $76,401, slightly above the national median of $74,788, showcasing a favorable local market. The salary range for court reporters in the area varies significantly, from $47,903 at the 10th percentile to as high as $118,422 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. The strength of the Hackensack job market, alongside the growing demand for court reporters due to a workforce shortage, suggests that skilled professionals, especially those with advanced certifications like the CRR, can command impressive compensation.
About the Hackensack Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,903 | $23.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,543 | $28.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,401 | $36.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,794 | $47.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,422 | $56.93 |
Median Salary Position
2.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hackensack
In Hackensack, NJ, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,519 (2026 est.). At $76,401, the local median is 2.16% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hackensack: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hackensack Court Reporter Pay Compares
Hackensack median: $76,401/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hackensack Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $79,585 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +2.16% more |
Court Reporters in Hackensack, NJ earn a median of $76,401 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.16% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 4.00% below the New Jersey state average of $79,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hackensack has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hackensack, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,401 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,320 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,427
2025 BLS Actual
$73,982
2026 Current Est.
$76,401
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Hackensack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,427 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,931 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,401 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hackensack metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $61,427 (2019) to $73,982 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,473 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hackensack metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.27% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,903 – $58,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,543 – $76,401 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,401 – $97,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,794 – $118,422 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Hackensack
The local job market in Hackensack currently employs eight court reporters, indicating a niche yet essential profession with specific opportunities for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, it’s crucial for court reporters to consider how their earnings translate into purchasing power in this vibrant New Jersey city. Among various employer types, freelance court reporting tends to dominate the field, with rates that can vary based on demand and urgency; for example, per-page transcript rates typically fall between $3 and $8. Those who focus on realtime captioning or CART services can anticipate higher earnings, ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. The variance seen in pay often corresponds to the unique demands of each role, such as the volume of depositions for freelancers or the structured salary scales for official court reporters. To maximize their potential earnings in Hackensack, current and aspiring court reporters should explore freelancing opportunities, obtain specialized certifications, and maintain connections with court reporting firms like Veritext and Esquire, ensuring they stay competitive in a dynamic job market.
More salary data for Hackensack, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gomez, RPR
Career Analyst
Maria Gomez has 10 years of experience in court reporting. She specializes in transcription for civil litigation cases. She works in various courtrooms across the state.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,982 for court reportersin the Hackensack metropolitan area. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hackensack is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.27%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for court reporters (SOC 27-3092).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gomez, RPR, a licensed court reporter with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov